Morata Tells Real Madrid: Play Me Or Sell Me

Alvaro Morata’s agent has told footmercato.net that the striker will leave Real Madrid this summer unless his demand to “play more” is met by the Champions League winners.

Morata returned to Madrid after a successful spell at Juventus 12 months ago, hoping to establish himself in coach Zinedine Zidane’s plans and break the stranglehold Real’s version of the BBC (Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo) have on the team’s attacking positions.

The Spain international, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, scored 19 goals in all competitions for Madrid last term, despite making just 14 starts in La Liga and he played only five minutes across the club’s Champions League semifinal and final matches.

Morata’s record of scoring a goal on average every 89 minutes in La Liga last season, was second only to Lionel Messi, who managed a goal every 77 minutes.

“He doesn’t want to go through another season like that. It was a great season, but he wants to play more,” Morata’s agent, Juanma Lopez, said.

“Alvaro is a player who wants to play a more important role. He wants to play more. That’s normal for a striker who’s scored 19 goals. It’s not enough.”

Morata is just 12 months into the five-year deal he penned upon his return to the Spanish capital, and it would likely take considerably more than the €30 million buyback clause Madrid activated last summer to prise him away from Juventus.

Lopez, who stated he had yet to discuss the matter with Madrid, confirmed AC Milan’s interest in his client.

“It existed and still exists, just like for other big clubs interested in a player of his calibre,” he said.

“The player will take a clear and definitive decision in the coming days.”

Speaking earlier this week, Morata suggested he would not be interested in a return to Serie A while adding he is happy at Madrid.

“It’s hard to imagine going back to Italy, despite my experience in Serie A being extraordinary,” he said.

“I would like to stay at Real Madrid, and the only club for me in Italy are Juventus.”

Speculation that Morata could join United intensified after the striker, according to the Daily Mirror, followed the Instagram accounts of Red Devils players Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David De Gea, Adnan Januzaj, Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney, as well as former stars David Beckham and Patrick Evra.

There are reports that Morata has already agreed personal terms with United and all that is left is for the two sides to agree to a transfer fee, which will be around £70m.